Apparatus for cleaning automobile engines



Feb. 23, 1943. J G

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AUTOMOBILE ENGINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

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9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 23, 1943. R GRAY APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AUTOMOBILE ENGINES Filed May 5, 1939 m VENTOR.

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APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AUTOMOBILE ENGINES Filed May 5, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 119 fad IXVENTOR. ficzass fiJ gray Feb. 23, 1943. R. J. GRAY APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AUTOMOBILE ENGINES Filed May 5, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 5 6 6 m Mn 1 F b. 23, 1943.-- R. J. GRAY 2,312,091

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AUTOMOBILE ENGINES Filed May 5, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR.

1;, I 155 m WW BY @sseZlJ gra Feb. 23, 1943. J GRAY APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AUTOMOBILE ENGINES Filed May 5, 1939 9. Sheets-Sheet 8 .WNN

SN mww E }NVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

R. J. GRAY 2,312,091

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING AUTOMOBILE ENGINES Feb. 23, 1943.

Filed May 5, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 1M lsxToR. Russell J ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 23,

. srrsna'rus ron cmsnnvc soroiuonmn enemas Gray, Minneapolis, Minn, assignor to Gray Company, lnc.,'lmnneapolis, Minn., a corporation or South Dakota Application May 5, 193g, Serial No. 272,025 6 Claims. (01. 184-1.5)

The present invention relates to apparatus for use in the internal cleaning of automobile engines or the like, and it relates more particularly toapparatus having means for supplying a quantity of clean solvent to the crank-case of an automobile engine, means ior withdrawing said solvent from the crank-case after it has been circulated through theengine, as for instance by running the engine with the solvent in it, and after it has dissolved or collected the synthetic resinous deposits produced in internal combustion engines and commonly referred to as varnish or lacquer, and engine dirt, sludge, gum deposits, etc., and means for cleaning the dirtladen solvent to restore it substantially to its original condition and color, for future use.

The present invention has among its objects the provision of a compact readily operable apparatus of simple and durable construction which efliciently performs the foregoing operations with ease and dispatch, which may be used generally continuously and which may be readily and easily disassembled or exposed for. servicing or replacement of used-up parts.

Other objects will appear more following detailed description, accompanying drawings and appended claims.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred, since the same. have been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities ofwhich the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise. arrangements and organizations of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts,

Figure 1 represents a front elevational view of an apparatus constituting one embodiment of the present invention. with parts broken away to reveal the interior construction.

Figure 2 represents a front sis, and the mechanisms and piping mounted thereon, all of which are mounted exteriorly of the vertical tank and are concealed by a removal front shield, or cover, or hood, all as illustrated in perspective in Figure l, and further includes a wiring diagram 0! the relatively few electrical connections used.

Figure 3 represents a left side elevational view of the chassis and associated mechanisms and P p g illustrated in Figure. 2-.

fully from the view of the chas Figure 4 represents a. right side elevational view of the chassis and associated mechanisms and piping illustrated in Figure 2.

. glue to be cleaned, in dotted lines) representing Figure 5. represents a simplified schematic view showing-how component parts '01 the apparatus illustrated in the preceding figures function in relation to each other, jointly to estab-,

lish two paths of flow for the solvent, one path (indicated in full lines) representing the flow of fresh clean solvent from the reservoir to the enand the other path (indicated the return flow of the dirt-laden solvent from said engine back through the apparatus, and into the clean solvent reservoir.

Figure 6 represents an enlarged side view,

I partly in elevation and partly in section, of the two-position control valve which is mounted on the chassis, and which selectively establishes the two paths of solvent iio'w.

Figure '7 represents a sectional view otthe control valve, taken on line "I-'l of Figure 6, looking a in the direction of thearrows. I

Figure 8 represents an enlarged front view, partly in elevation and partly proximately related transparent sight-gauges which individually reveal the clean solvent and the dirty solvent; said gauges being supported by a common casting in proximity to each other for clean solvent.

color-comparison of the dirty solvent with the Figure 9 represents a' bottom view of the gauge-supporting casting --ilIustreted inFigure 8, I such as would be seen on line 9-0 of Figure 8, looking in the direction of the arrows. v 1

Figure JOrepresents an enlarged view. partly in elevation and partly in section, of the crankcase adapter at the end of the flexible service hose opcratively engaged with a crank-case (shown in dashed-dotted lines) at its drain opening.

Figure 11 view of the operatively engaged crank-case adapter, taken on line ll-'-H of Figure in, looking in thedirection of the arrows.

I Figure 12 represents a transverse sectional view of the same adapter. taken of Figure 10, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 13'represents a fragmentary view showing how the crank-case adapter illustrated in Figure 10. may be operativeiy supported in a dripless manner by the hood which covers, the ventilating opening at thetop oi thetank.

- Figure 14 representsa fragmentary view or the in section, of the;

represents a longitudinal sectional on line ll-II' apparatus illustrated in Figure 15', with parts broken away to reveal the interior construction.

Figure 17 represents a front view of the concealed chassis and its associated mechanisms and piping constituting part of the apparatus 11- lustrated in Figures 15 and 16, and having a schematic wiring diagram superposed thereon showing the associated electrical circuits.

Figure 18 represents an enlarged front view of the proximately-related transparent clean and dirty solvent sight-gauges which, are mounted on the chassis illustrated in Figure 1'7.

Figure 19 represents a right side elevatlonalv view of the sight-gauges illustrated in Figure 18.

Figure 20 represents an enlarged sectional view taken on line .20-28 of Figure 18, looking in the direction of the arrows.

' Figure 21 represents an enlarged'sectional view taken on line 2|, 2| of Figure 18, looldng in the direction 01. the arrows.

Figure 22 represents a side view, partly in sec-' tion and partly in elevation, of the sight-gauge casting illustrated in Figure 20, such as would be seen'ior instance on broken line 22, 22 of Figure 20, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The particular embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, operates in the manner. schematically illustrated in Figure 5. -A two-position controlvalve 28 is provided which is arranged, in its one position,-

to establish two opposite paths of fiow therethrough for clean solvent on its way to the en-- gine to be cleaned, and which is further arranged, in its other position, to establish two opposite paths oi! flow therethrough for dirt-laden solvent returning from said engine.

When valve 20 is thrown into its in" or "to motor position, clean solvent is pumped from the apparatus; along the flow path indicated in full lines in Figure 5, out into the crank-case of the automobile engine. The pump 2| sucks the clean solvent (preferably oil) from the reservoir '42 in the bottom of thevertical tank 28, and

through a passageway in valve 28, and the clean solvent is then pumped through a diametrically opposite passageway in valve 28, and through a transparent sight-tube 24 and a flow-meter 28,

out into the crank-case oi the automobile 28.

After the desired amount of solvent has been pumped into the automobile crank-caselwhich has theretofore been emptied or its oil content),

the pumn, 2| is stopped, and the automobile engine is started and run, causingthe clean solvent in the crank-case to be circulated internally through the automobile engine, where it collects varnish, sludge, gum deposits, carbon/dirt and thelike. a

The automobile engine is then stopped, valve 28 is thrown into its "out or from motor position, and the pump 2| is started up, rotating in the same direction as 'i'ormerly, whereupon thedirt-laden and gummy solvent returns from the engine crank-case to the apparatus along the new path indicated in dotted lines in Figure 5.

Thus, the pump'2l sucks the dirt-laden solvent an ordinary downwardly-directed elbow fitting or,

if desired, -a sprinkler or spray head I1, possibly pared with the clean solvent in the sight-tube 24;

and preferably through a metal screen or strainer in said bowl 21,'and through a suitable passageway in valve 28, and is discharged into the top of the receiving-tank 28. The dirty solvent then gravitationally filters through one or more filter units, or stages, which clean the solvent and preferably restore it-to or near its original condition and color: the cleaned solvent collecting in the clean-solvent reservoir 42 constituted by the lower portion of the tank 28.

Referring now more particularly to Figure L; the illustrated apparatus includes a generally vertical cylindrical metal tank 28 closed at the bottom and preierably open at the top. A removable cover 28, provided with a down-turned annular flange 30, preferably merely rests on the top rim of the tank 28 and preferably with the cover-flange 30 surrounding said'rim.

The interior of the tank 28 preferably includes three vertically aligned compartments or chambers, the upper chamber constituting a receiving a filter chamber preferably provided with suitably-supported filtering means through which the dirty solvent must descend, and the lower chamber comprising a reservoir'for cleaned solvent.

The prefiltering arrangement disposed in the upper chamber of the cylindrical tank 28 may include a plurality of inner and outer sacks Ill and 32, formed from any suitable porous material; as for instance, fabric or the like. These p're-filter sacks 3| and 32 are preferably operatively suspended in the tank 28 in spaced relation, from each other, in any suitable manner, as for instance by means of a series of circularly arranged supporting hooks 23, which project through suitable grommets or eyelets 24, 34 fastened to said sacks. These sack-supporting'hooks 33 may be welded or secured to, or formed integrally with a removable annular flange 35, which may reston the top rim of the tank 28 and which may be operatively concealed by ,theremovable tank cover 28. v

The retuming dirt-laden solvent may be fed into the upper solvent-receiving chamber of the tank 28 through a short inlet pipe 36' which airtends through' the side wall of the tankl The discharge end of the pipe 38 may be provided with filledwith a filtering substance, may be provided from theautomobile crank-case, through a' transparent glass bowl 21, preferably, placed in at the discharge end of the pipe 38. Indeed, if a sprinkler. head 81 be provided, thenthe 'pre-filter sacks II and 32 may be dispensed with, if desired.

The filtering means disposed in the tank filter chamber, immediately beneath the pre-filter sacks 3i and 32, preferably consists of a plurality (as for instance three) vertically aligned and readily removable filter cartridges 38, 38. These filter cartridges may each comprise a cylindrically-shaped closed fabric bag filled with a suitable quantity of filtering 'ma'teriaL'las for instance fullers earth,

and are each preferably shaped'to occupy substantially the entire cross-sectional area of the cylindrical tank 28. Each filtering unit 18 con- ,stitutes a complete cartri e," which may beread- Jily removed and replaced when necessary. I The filter cartridges 38 may be supported withcollecting the in the tank 28 by any suitable flow-permitting means as for instance by means of a grilled or perforated supporting disc 39 which may be welded having its rim resting on an annular flange 4| welded against the inside of the tank wall 28.

The bottom chamber 42, provided by the lower portion of the tank 28, constitutes a clean-solvent reservoir, in which the solvent collects after it has filtered through the overhead filtering stages.

Any suitable gauge 43, which may be of the dial or of the glass-column type, may be secured exteriorly of the clean-solvent reservoir 42, and may indicate the quantity of solvent in said reservoir. A vertical breather tube is preferably provided for the generally enclosed reservoir 42 and this tube may have its lower end extend through the tank wall immediately below the filter-supporting flange 4| and may extend upwardly to any desired height exteriorly of, and preferably against, the outer wall of the tank 28. The solvent in the reservoir 42 may be operatively sucked out through a riser tube 44, whose lower inlet end may terminate in proximity to the bottom wall of said reservoir, and which may be extended through the side wall of the tank 28 by means of a coupling 45 we ded in an opening in said wall.

The control instruments and gauges and related piping and wiring may be operatively supported in a compact manner exteriorly of the tank 28 by means of a chassis 46, whose horizontal cross-section is preferably channel-shaped, and which is preferably secured against the outer wall of the tank 28 with the edges 41 of the side flanges" 48 thereof continuously contacting said tank wall. Thus, a pair of spaced hooks 49, 49, which may be welded or otherwise secured to the tank wall 28,

may have their lower up-turned ends project viewed in normal operation of the devicefarev preferably concealed from view by means of a removable trough-shaped cover or hood 58, which may fit snugly over the chassis side-flanges 48, 48. and which may be detachablv secured thereto by suitable screws or bolts 54,- 54. The hood 53 is preferably fenestrated at suitable points to reveal and light switches '58 and 59, respectively, and miscellaneous piping and electrical cable operatively interconnecting the foregoing. The flowmeter, sight gauges, control valve and electrical switches are preferably operativelysupported by the chassis 46 in suitably spaced relation therefrom, so that these-items will extend up to, or through, their respective windows or openings in the face of the hood 53, min the plate I46, and will thus be visually and manually accessible.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention some of the foregoing instruments, as for instance the flow-meter 25, are supported by th chassis 46 at their proper distances therefromby means of outwardly extending posts 66 against whose outer ends these members may be bolted. Other of the foregoing instruments, as for instance the control valve 20 and the electric switches 58 and 56, may be bolted to a saddleor bracket 61, itself supported by the chassis 46in suitably spaced relation therefrom by suitable posts 62, 62 or the like. Still other members, such as the electric motor 56 and the rotary pump 2i, may be bolted directly against the I chassis 56.

The single control valve 26 is of unique construction, and aifords simple readily-operable means for'changing the setting of the apparatus from a clean-solvent in to a dirty-solvent ou condition, and vice versa, and avoids a confusing multiplicity of controls: Furthermore, the control valve 26 makes it possible for the rotary pump 29 to rotate in the same direction when pumping clean-solvent into. the crank-case V as when pumping dirty-solvent out of said crankcase, i. e. the pump has constant inlet and outlet openings and this even though the clean and and is also suitably apertured so that control handles and other members requiring manipulatlon may project therethrough.

If desired, all the windows and apertures provided may be grouped on a single generally rectangular removable plate I46 secured over a correspondin opening in the face of the hood 53 in any suitable fashion, as for instance by means of the screws I, I or-the like.

If desired, ventilating louvers 55 may be stamped out of the side walls of the hood or cover 68, thereby to ventilate the space therebeneath.

The chassis 46' may support a flow meter 25, 'a transparent clean-solvent sight-tube 24 and a proximately-disposed dirty-solvent transparent bowl 21, a two-position multi-port control valve 26, a rotary pump 2| and its electric drivingmotor 56, an electrical junction box 51, motor dirty solvents follow the same paths in opposite directions and flow through the same conduits over a substantial portion of their routes, irrespective of the particularsetting of the apparatus.

more particularly illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, the control valve 26 includes a valve-body '68, having a cylindrical recess 64 the-rein, closed at one end, for rotatably receiving a valve-stem 65. Six circularly-arranged port openings 66 to H, inclusive, are formed in the inner cylindrical wall defining the recess 64, and communicate withcorresponding inlet and outlet passageways 12 to 11, inclusive, extending through the valvebody 68.

The rotatable stem 65 has formed therein, in the planeof the port openings 66 to 'll inclusive, two diametrically-opposed flow-conducting slots or' recesses 18 and I8 respectively, each of a length sufficient to span, and thereby establish operative communication between, adjacent port openings. 1

A valve-cap 83 encircles the reduced shank of the valve stem 55, and is screw-threadedly engaged with the outer end of the valve-recess 64. A plurality of annular leather packing glands 84, 84 may surround the shank of the valve stem 65 and may be pressed or crowded into asealestablishing position by a coiled compression spring 85, whose one end may rest against the by means of a control handle 86 fitted over the outer end of the reduced shank portion of the valve-stem 65 and keyed theretb in any suitable against an; end of said sight-tube.

manner, asfor instance, by means of a set-screw 8| whose inner end may project into a suitable recess in the side of said shank portion.

Two stop-pins 82, 82, extending outwardly from the valve-body 63, may be-disposed one on either side of the valve-handle 80, thereby to limit the throw of the valve-handle. .are preferably so located that when the valve-- These stop-pins 82 handles!) meets the right-hand stop-pin, the port-connecting valve-stem recesses 18 and i9 will be positioned as shown in Figure 7, thereby may receive an internally threaded bushing .ll

through which may be screwed a thumb-screw 86. The upper end of the thumb-screw 96 may project into and bear against a cupped-shaped thrust-transmitting member 81,-.which, itself, is

, adapted to bear against the bottom of the glass ,bowl 21. Thus, by merely advancing or retracting the thumb-screw 96, the bowl I1 may be establishing hydraulic communication between port-openings 68-41 and 68-", and to estab-' lish hydraulic communication between the port'- openings 61 and II on the one handand the generally diametrically-opposed port-openings 68 and H on the other hand.

The position wherein the control handle 8]!" rests against the right-hand stop-pin 82 may be identified as the in" or to motor" position, for in this position clean solvent will be pumped into the engine crank-case. Conversely, position wherein the controbhandle 80 rests against the left-hand stop-pin may be referred to as the out? or from motor position, for in this latter' position the dirty solvent wililv be sucked out of the engine crank-case and returned to the apparatus.

The hydraulic control-valve may be operativelysecured to the valve-supporting means by a plurality of bolts 81, 81, which may extend through suitable openings in the valve-body 63.

The present invention preferably includes a pair of proximately-disposed transparent sightgauges 2 and 21, for comparatively indicating the color and condition of out-going (clean) solvent and incoming (dirty) solvent, respectively.

These sight gauges are each arranged to congauges. Thus, the common casting I! may inoperatively clamped against, or, loosened relative to, the casting I8. 1 v a The casting 88 is preferably provided with an inlet "passageway SI for conducting the returning dirt-laden solvent into the transparent bowl 2], and'an outlet passageway 80 through which the solvent may leave the'bowl. g

These passageways ,9! and M terminate in port-openings Ill and Ill, respectively, each communicating withthelnterior of the trans- Y .parentbowl 21', with-the port-opening "I preferably being disposed concentrically relative to said bowl.

A wire screen may be provided in the bowl 2! for straining the larger particles of dirt from the solvent. Thus, a wire screen lll2 may surround the mouth o f-the outlet port-openinglll, and

this screen may be welded or soldered onto a supporting cage or spider I01 which may be the screw-threadedly retained in the port-opening llll. Accordingly, all the dirt-laden solvent entering the transparent bowl 21 through the inlet port-opening I 00 must pass through the wire screen I02 before leaving the bowl 2! through the outlet port-opening IOI. The solvent is thereby strained, depositing the larger particles of dirt, grit and the like in the bowl 2 1. This bowl 2! may be periodically removed, .and emptied of the collected dirt.

The solvent pump II is preferably of the rotary type, and. is provided with constant inlet and outlet openings, so that irrespective of whether it is pumping clean solvent into the automobile crank-case or sucking the dirt-laden solvent therefrom, the solvent will flow through said pump in only one direction. The electric motor 56 which drives the rotary pump II mayf be directly coupled thereto in vertical alignment therewith, and is preferably disposed below the I pump and at the lower end of the supporting elude a pair of spaced aligned tube-supporting "hollow brackets Q9, 88, which mayhouse the- .ends of the transparent sight-tube 24.

This tube may be operatively clamped in position by means of an exterlorly threaded-hollownut whose forward end is screw-threadedly engaged with the right-hand bracket 89 and bears Suitable washers or sealing members may be provided at leakage of solvent at these points.

The underside of the common-casting 88 may the opposite ends of the sight-tube 24 to avoid chassis, so that it will operate in a vapor-free position.. Electrical current may be led to the electrical junction box II by an insulated electrical cord I, and from thence it may be distributed to the electrical switches and other preferably automaticallythrown intoits open-' circuit position, when released, by spring-pressed means, or in any other suitable manner. This I feature will insure against an operator's starting the apparatus and tended.

The switch ll controlsthe flow of electrical current through an electric light-bulb I. which is preferably arranged to illuminate the then leaving it unat? transparent sight-gauges 24 and 21. If desired, a reflector lll may be disposed behind the. sight-gauges! and- 21, and this reflector may be operatively supported in any suitable man .ner, as for instance by means of a bracket ll 'l secured to the chassis 4i.

Thepiping which interconnects the herein.-

above described elements has been illustrated in detail in Figures 2- to 4, inclusive, wherein, solid arrows have been used to indicate the direction'sand paths of flow of the clean solvent or oil,,and wherein dotted arrows have been used to indicate the direction and paths of flow of the dirty solvent or oil.

'The-pipin'g'which conducts the clean oil may include a generally vertical branch I08 which interconnects the riser-tube 44 in the clean solvent reservoir .with the clean-solvent inlet passageway 12 of the control valve 20. Assuming the, control valve to be set'in the "in position indicated in Figure-7, the solvent passes through port-opening 66,.stem-passageway 18, port-openingfl, outlet passageway 18, and then into and through'the pipe 109, which connects said valve outlet. passageway 13. with the inlet end of the rotary pump 2I. The 'clean solvent is then driven through the pumpv 2| and enters the inlet passageway 14 of the control valve through the. connecting pipe H0. From there, the solvent flows through the port-opening 68, stempassageway 19, port opening 88 and communicating clean-solvent outlet passageway 15, all in thecontrol valve 20, and then through the pipe III ,into and through the. sight-tube 24. Upo

n leavingfthe sight-tube 24, the clean solvent flows downwardly through the loop I20 and then "upwardly into and throughv the flow-meter 25. From there, the clean solvent, flows downwardly through the pipes H2 and H3, connected togethe'r by a T'fitting II 4, andthen out through the flexible service-hose H5 into the crank-case oi' the automobile engine.

Flor the return flow of the dirt-laden solvent, the setting of-thecontrol valve 28 is changed to the ,out position-and the returning solvent follows the following course. It is first sucked through theservice-hose- H5 and upwardly sa'geway 88 of its bowlsupporting casting 88.-

The dirt-laden solvent enters the bowl 21'through the inlet port-I00, and then flows through the wire-mesh strainer I02 and departs through the outlet port- IIII and communicating discharge 28, and the dirty solvent is therefore discharged onto the filtering units. 1

If desired, expansion loops II8, II9 may be provided midway along the pipes I08 and H8. respectively.

The hereinabove described apparatus is preferably mounted on a plurality of caster wheels I24, I2I, which may be concealed by an outer depending guard skirt I22. A curved handrail I23 may be secured to the outside of the tank 28'by brackets I24, I24, each'welded to the tank v28, thereby providing-means, whereby the apparatus may be readily wheeled into desired positions.

amarginally-disposed ventilating opening I25--a and if desireda small hood I26 may be'secured thereover, said hood being adapted to have coupled thereto a crank-case adapter I28 at the 20 end. of the sevice-hose I I5, when the apparatus is not inuse. The end of the service-hose may thus be retained in an elevated position when inoperative, causing the solvent in said hose to drain back downwardly therethrough and preventing 25 any drip. Furthermore, even should the end or the sevice hose drip slightly, the drippings will be" collected by the hood I25 and willbe conducted thereby down through the ventilating opening I25-a in the tank cover 28 and into the interior of tank 28.

The crank case adapter I26, illustrated more particularly in Figures 10 to 12, is preferably generally permanently secured to the end of the flexible service-hose H5, and is preferably proyided with means whereby it may be readily adjusted to hold the end of said hose in sealed communication with differently-sized crank-case openings. The adapter I28 may include a generally tubular body portion I21 having opposed longitudinal grooves I28, I28 formed in the face of the inner cylindrical wall thereof. A nut-like member I28, having portions projecting into. said opposed grooves I28 to prevent it from rotating,

is slidably disposed within the tubular body I21.

5 An elongated thumb-screw I30, having mounted 'thereon a knurled thumb nut I3I, extends slid ably through a. somewhat reduced opening I32 at the rear ofthe body I21, and screw-threadedly engages the slidable non-rotatable member I29.

A pair of L-shaped crank-case-engaging hooks passageway 99. The strained solvent is then conducted through the piping. H1. and enters the control valve 20 through the dirty-solvent inlet passageway 16. From there it flows through the port-opening 10, stem-passageway 18, port-open- 1118-11,} and into and through the, same outlet passageway. 13 and pipe Ila; formerly traversed by. the clean solvent, and enters the inlet passageway of the rotary pump 2i The dirty solvent isthendriven' through the pump 2I, and passes upw'ardlythrough the pipe no and 'into the contrbl valve 28' through the inlet" passageway ll;

still alo'n'g'the same path formerly traversed by the clean solvents Herefthedirty solvent departs from"said'-'path,"and jtl'ows through the port-opening 88; stem-passageway", port-opening 11 ,-'-and departs from the 'contr'ol'valve through the dirty-solvent outlet passageway TI. A pipe I18 connects' 'the' outlet passageway 11 with the discharga'tube 36 which extends; into "the tank I33, I33 are pivotally secured to the slidable member I28 by pivot pins I34, I34. The nose of the thumb-screw I is preferably rounded and bears against portions of these pivoted L-shaped hooks-thereby adjustably limiting the degree .to

which the liooks may approach each other. A'n

annular resilient gasket I 38, which may be formed of any suitable oil-resistant materiaL'preferably neoprene or the like, may surround the outlet mouth of the body portion I21, and may seal around the crank-case'drain opening when the adapter is attached thereto. If desired, a metallic washer I38 may be imbedded within theresilient gasket I35. 1

The end of the service-hose III! may be gen erally permanently secured to a hollow stud I31 extending from the adapter I28. 'The adapter I28 may be provided with a hook which may cooperate with a suitable slot or recess I38 in the hood I25 on'the tank cover 28 to provide anchorage means for the; end of the servicehose when. not in use, all'asshown in Figure 13,.

The hereinabove described apparatusjpreferably dispenses an engineaning liquid which 5 exerts a solvent action on he synthetic resinous The tank cover 29 is preferably provided with deposits formed in internal combustion engines,

and on sticky carbon,-sludge, gum deposits and the like. Such liquid may consist of equal quantitles (as for instance 25 or 30 gallons) of low cold test pale neutral flushing oil having a viscosity of 100 at 100 F., and of No. 1 prime white or straw colored distillate (furnace or stove oil), and if desired, approximately two gallons of a concentrated gum solvent liquid (which may include a solvent for the gummy engine deposits and a constituent for affording lubrication while the solvent is performing its function) may be added thereto. The resultant liquid acts as a solvent inside the automobile engine and has been found to be a very eifective cleansing agent.

If the quantity of solvent should become ,depleted in use, it may be replenished by.-the addition of prime white or straw colored distillate, to

' which may be added one pint of the concentrated solvent liquid for every three gallons of.

distillate. It is not necessary to add neutral oil to the apparatus, because in actual operation the solvent liquid becomes thickened by the addition of small amounts of motor oil from the automobile engines being cleaned. Thus, the occasional addition of solely the distillate and the concentrated solvent liquid, will oifset such thickening and maintain a solvent. having nearly constant viscosity. v a

In operation, the end of the electric cord I24 is plugged into a suitable outlet socket, and if a ground lead be supplied, thensuch lead is screwed against, or otherwise secured to, the

socket plate. The light switch I is then closed,-

thereby illuminating the transparent. sightgauges .24 and 2I,'respectively.

The car engine may then be started and run until the oil inits crank-case has been thoroughly warmed. The car motor is then stopped, and the crank-case drain plug removed, permitting the old motor oil to drain" out. The car motor is then preferably turned over once or twice with the starter in order to bring down what little oil may remain in the crank-case and on lines, thereby minimizing subsequent thickening of the solvent by the motor oil. The crank-case adapter I24 on the end of the flexible service "hose III may then be operatively engaged with the crank-case ofthe engine by inserting the hooks I33 into the crank-case drain thecar motor back into the apparatus. The

return flow "of dirty solvent can be observed through the glass bowl 21, which should be periodically removed and cleaned of accumulated sludge and the like. The screen in this bowl prevents the returning larger particles of dirt and the like from entering the pump 2|, thereby protecting the same. The returning dirty oil is dis-- charged into the receiving chamber at the top of the vertical tank 28, from-whence it gravitates through the filter-units 28 into the clean-solvent reservoir 42, meanwhile being cleaned and restored to its original color and condition.

-The foregoing operation is repeated until the solvent flowing through the glass bowl 21 is as clean as the solvent in the sight-tube 24. The" engine crank-case is then completely emptied of solvent, the hose'adapter I2 disengaged from the crank-case opening, and ,the crankcase drain plug reinserted therein, whereupon the engine is ready to be refilled with new oil.

opening, the thumb-screw I" being preliminarily retracted, if necessary, to permit the hooks to be brought. sufliciently close together to enter thev drain opening. The thumb-screw I30 is then screw-threadedly advanced through the nonrotatable nut I24 untilthe hooks I33 have been spread apart sumciently to prevent their being pulled back through the drain opening. The knurled thumb *nut III is then tightened, thereby advancing the adapter body I21 and compressing the adapter gasket Ill around the crank-case opening to establish an eflective seal there around.

The control valve handle 44 is then thrown to the in position. and the control leverof the motor-switch II is depressed and held down until the meter 2| indicates that an amount of solvent preferably twice the normal rated oil capacity of the crank casehas been dispensed. .The flow of fresh solvent may be observed in the sighttube 24. .The control lever of the motor-switch I4 isthen released, and the now meter 2!, hand re-set to zero. The automobile engine is then started and may be run at idling speed for about three minutes, thus heating. the clean-solvent,

The hereinabove described apparatus is preferably initially supplied with" approximately fii'ty or sixty gallons of solvent, so as to permit the apparatus to be'used generally uninterruptedly, and without having to wait for the dirty solvent, which has last been returned into the top of the tank 28, to filter. through the filter units and collect in the clean solfvent reservoir.

It will be noted that the filtering process is a generally continuous one, and does not require any interruption either when clean-solvent is being dispensed to the automobile engine; or

when dirt-laden solvent is being withdrawn) therefrom.

In actual operation, a filtering arrangement which provides an average filtration speed of approximately forty gallons per hour has been found to be quite satisfactory, although filtering arrangements having higher or lower filtration rates may also be used.

In the particular embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 14, a pre-filter cartridge. I44 has been placed on top of the column of main filter-cartridge 44, 3!. Thi pre-v filter cartridge I45 may comprise'a suitable pad of cottonor cloth waste encased, if desired, in a porous fabric sack or casing I44. The cartridge I45. replaces the pro-filter sacks II and "shown in the embodiment illustrated in. 1"igure 1. In actual operation, this pre-filter pad of waste on top of the main filter cartridges removes the heavier dirt particles from the descending dirty oil or solvent, thereby easing the load on the secondary or main filter units I4, and adding to their useful life. Occasionally, this cartridge or padof cotton waste Ill may be shaked, swabbed-ofi, and turned over.

It will be noted that the dirty-solvent receiving chamber above the filter cartridge is of ample capacity and is preferably large enough to permit a substantial quantity of dirty solvent to collect rapidly in'saiddirty-oil receiving chamher without overflowing. Accordingiy,the dirty solvent may be discharged into .this receiving chamber at a faster rate than that with which it filters through thecartridges, thereby obviating delay and permitting generally continuous operation of the apparatus.

The embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figures 15 to 22, inclusive, is the preferred embodiment, and resembles inmost respects the hereinabove-described embodiments. It includes agenerally vertical cylindrical tank I" which is closed at the bottom and open at the top. This tank I" is eccentrically mounted on an oval-shaped portable base or dolly 'lii and may be fastened or keyed thereto by any suitable means,- as for instance by means of angle-brackets IE2 or the like. As more particularly illustr'ated in Figure 16, the dolly "I may be supported on four caster wheels ill, one pair of opposite wheels being relatively fixed or non-pivotable, and the other pair of opposite wheels being of the free-trailing or freely pivoting typ A curved shield or false front I, when curvature is matched by therim of the oval-shaped base Iii 'may be affixed over the front side of the tank I 50, thereby to conceal the chassis piping and mechanisms. The opposite vertical marginal portions of this shield I meet the cylindrical wall of the tank Ill at opposite sides, and preferably merge with the tank wall to create an i1- lusion of continuity. These marginal portions of the curved shield I" may be detachably secured to the tank walls at their meeting points by any suitable means, as for instance, by being bolted or screwed to brackets III welded or otherwis secured to the tank wall III.

A generally rectangular suitably fenestrated instrument panel I" may be stamped or pressed out of the top central portion of the shield Ill,

or, if desired, this instrument panel ill may be formed separately from the shield I34 and may be afiixed thereto.

' The open top of the tank is preferably closed by means of a readily removable cover I" whose outline corresponds to the oval-shaped outline of the base Iii, and which may rest on the pp r edges of the open tank ill and associated shield I". In the preferred embodiment, this removable cover I" is preferably provided with a hosesupporting drain-back casting ill (see Figure 13) which is mounted over a ventilating aperture in the cover I".

A curved handrail or hand-rails I. may be secured to the shield I by brackets in to provide means whereby the apparatus may be easily maneuvered into any desired position.

The interior of the tank III is provided'with a filtering arrangement similar to that illustrated inFigure 14, including a top pre-filter pad or cartridge of cloth waste I and main or secondary filter cartridges 3! preferably filled with fuller's earth, the lowest one of said cartridges ll resting on an-apertured filter support II, in turn supported-by an annular flange" welded or otherwise secured tothe tank wall I ll.

tight float m is secured to the lower end of this.

tube and causes the same to rise and fall with the level of the liquid in the bottom of the tank If desired, the hollow stem I may extend upwardly for more .or less approximately half the height of the clean oil reservoir, and in any event the floating tube I60 is preferably of suflicient length to prevent its riding clear or free of the stem I63 as the clean solvent reservoir fills up.

' Thus, the height of the floating tube In is preferably such that the upper cap ill thereof will encounter the overhead filter support 38 in the tank I80 before the lower endv of said tube 160 can ride clear of the'upper end of the outlet stem I".

In actual operation, the only solvent which enten; the outlet stem I is' drawn from the liquid in the vicinity of the float I62. Therefore, once the level of the solvent in the reservoir has descended sufllciently to float the skimmer tube no,

' the only solvent which enters the mouth of the outlet stem I6! is drawn ofl fromrthe top level of the body of solvent in thereservoir. In use, when the control valve 20 is set for the "tomotor positionv and the pump 2| is started up, the resultant suction produced in the outlet stem I is communicated to the space inside the floating tube I60, and the pressure therein accordingly decreases. The atmospheric pressure acting upon-the body of the solvent in the reservoir therefore forces the solvent in the vicinity of the open mouth of tube I to rise in the. cylindrical space intermediate the overlapped inner-stem I".

and the outer tube I", and when this solvent reaches the open mouth of the stem I83, it is drawn thereinto and pumped out to the automobile engine. Thus, once the tube I" is floated.

the only solvent which rises in the space between the overlapped innerand outer tubes I and I" is drawn from the top level of the solvent in the reservoir, rather than from the lower or bottom levels where sediment and'the like might possibly collect. This insures that only the very cleanest and clearest oil or solvent in the reservoir will be supplied to the automobile engines being cleaned. As the level of the oil in the reservoir descends, the floating skimmer-tube I60 descends with it, so that the liquid which is dispensed is at Inthis embodiment of the present invention, a 5

likelihood that in normal use sediment in the- The apparatus ilustrated in Figure 16 includes an oil-skimming arrangement. in thecleanqoil reservoir at the bottom-ofthetank la, whereby only..;theicleanest. and clearest oil" or solvent in 76 all times taken froinythe top level of the liquid in,

the reservoir. I

If the solvent in the reservoir should ever reach a level higher than the highest level to which the float IQ! may rise .(due to the upper cap iii encountering the overhead filter support 30). then only clean solvent would still ,be

dispensed by'the apparatus. Thus, even though at this stage the solvent would not be drawn from the very top of the body of the liquid in the reservoir. yet the solvent drawn of! would still be free of sediment for there isvery little reservoir could evrrlse as high as the inlet level of tube I" when the float I62 is at its highest level.

Referring more particularly to Figure 17, it will be seen that the piping and mechanisms mounted on the tank chassis 46 are similar to those shown in the hereinabove described 'embodiment illustrated in Figure 2. However, in f the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure I and I}! in the bottom side of the casting 1'7, the flow meter has been positioned below the transparent flow-revealing sight-gauges and v the particular gauges used (illustrated in enlarged detail in Figures 18 to 22, inclusive) are of somewhat diiferent construction.

The connecting pipes shown in Figure 17 bear the same numerals applied to those pipes illus- I 61, these last two port-openings being in com-1 munication with the space inside of the lower dirty-solvent bowl I68,'-with outlet port-openingtrated in Figure 2 which perform like functions.

Thus, although the particular form and shape of the pipes illustrated in Figure 17 in some in- .stances do not conform precisely with the form and shape of the pipes illustrated in Figure 2,

nevertheless those pipes which conduct fluid I" preferably being disposed concentrically relative to said bowl I". A screen-bearingcage or spider It] is screw-threadedly'engaged with: the outlet port-opening III with the screen completely surrounding said opening, whereby;

all. the dirt-laden solvent which enters the lower transparent bowl I I6! through the inlet portopening Ill must pass through the wirescreen before leaving said bowl through the outlet port'- opening I85.

the like will be deposited'in the bowl in, which may. be periodically removed and cleaned of its.

collected dirt.

. The bowl-supporting Icasting I61 may be up -v eratively secured to the chassis u in anyv suit I able manner, as for instance by means of posts in connection with the foregoing embodiments (see-Figures 8 and 9). Thus, in' lieu of the clean oil sight-tube 24, an inverted glass bowl I has been provided which is operatively clamped down against the top of a' common brass casting I. This gauge casting lil 'is provided with suitable inlet and. outlet passageways respectively leading into and out of the upper clean-solvent bowl I 60 and the lower dirty- V solvent bowl I.

The top side of the common casting I" is provided with an annular groove II! within which the rim of the transparent clean-solvent bowl I rests against an annular sealing member or gasket Ill, and the bottom side of this same casting ii! is provided with a corresponding annular groove I'll within which the rim of the transparent dirty-solvent bowl I" rests against an annular sealing member or gasket I12. Thesejuxt aposed bowls I85 and I are each preferably detachably clamped against the intermediate-casting II'I .by'any suitable means, as for instance by means of oppositely extending swi'vellable yokes Ill and Ill, respectively, each pivotally secured to said casting by transversely extending pivot pins or screws I'll. Knurled or slotted clamping screws I16 may be screwthreadedly engaged with the yokes m and m, .or with suitable bushings associated therewith,

and the forward ends of these clamping screws II! to whose outer ends the casting may afllxed by screws, or bolts, or the like.

A timing device may be provided to notify the operator when to shut off the automobile I be engine after it has been started. Such device may include an electrically or spring driven,- clockwork mechanism which will automatically,

shut itself off after it has run for any predetermined period, as for instance for twor'n'in- .Ili may bear against-cup-shaped thrust transmltting members I" which bear against the domes of the bowls I and I. These'bowls may be individually operatively clamped in position or loosened for removal from the common casting IOI by merely advancing 'or retracting'the clamping screws I16. The casting I8! is provided with four flowco'nducting passageways therethrough, passageways I18 and"! respectively comprising inlet utes.

. mounted intermediate the switches 58 and II (see the wiring diagram superposed over the pippletes an electrical circuit including a signal,

bulb in, which may be mounted at the top or.

the instrument panel I", and which is pref- Y erably automatically open-circuited by the clockmined time interval. Thus, when the automobile engine has been started to circulate the cleansolvent therethrough, the timer switch I is engine and withdraw therefrom. I

The signal lamp m is positioned behind a suit-'- 'able aperture or window in the instrument-panel.

. I", andthis aperture or window may be shielded from rays of light coming from 'the sight-laugh illuminated lamps ill, I, by an interveningshade I. In this manner, the only illumina and outlet passageways 'for the flow of clean solvent ,to and from the upper clean-solvent bowl I", and passageways Ill and'lll respectively comprising inlet and outlet passageways for .the

op ning being in communication with the space inside of the upper'clean selvent bowl I". The dirty-solvent paSSaBeWays II land III terminaterespectively in inlet .and 'outlet port-openings tion visible through the instrument-panel open- I ing or window in front. of the signal lamp I". will *be illumination originating from the lamp. III;-

A manually-operable counter IOI may be se-. cured to the instrument-panel III to Dr'llvide;

means for keeping track ofthe number of times that fresh cleaning-solvent has been supplied'tc the automobile engine. ,Thus. each solventis supplied to the automobile engine, the

counter pointer or marker may be manually-011+ 0 1." 0 ha M y mammal-me. the .wm fle engine the opera? Q r y reading the'counter Ill, be

apprisedof the number of times that cleaning solventhas beenv pumpedinto the automobile one: lnactual operation, four or live times have: W 14. babe suma enter. the.av.erage;enzine.

The dirt-laden solvent is thereb strained, and the larger particles of dirt, grit and The clock-work mechanism may be started by throwing. an electric controlv switch Ill work mechanism at the end of thepre'deter However. this number may 'be varied to suit individual requirements.

A dial-type vacuum gauge I92 may be afilxed to the instrumentpanel I56 to indicate the performance of the automobile engine both before and after cleaning. This gauge I92 may be con-' nected to the intake manifold of an automobile engine by means of a flexible hose extending from the intake manifold of said engine to a gauge in-- let stud I93 projecting outwardly from the instrument panel I56 and itself connected to the vacuum gauge I92. .When thus connected, the vacuum gauge I92 will indicate the'inche of vacuum produced in the automobile engine, which in a properly performing engine should lie somewhere between 18 and 21 inches at idling speed. In this fashion the performance of the automobile engine may be noted before and after cleaning, and a ready comparison may be made to determine the improvement in engine P rformance.

It is to be expressly understood that the control instruments and gauges need not be positioned precisely as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Thus, the instruments and gauges may be variously arrangedand organized, and

indeed may even be supplemented by other instruments and meters, or. the like, respectivelyindicating or controlling other correlated phases of operation of the device.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

ing into the receiving chamber, and valve means operatively associated with both the aforesaid means and selectively controlling the flow of outgoing clean solvent and incoming dirty solvent respectively. a i

2. In apparatus for supplying clean solvent to,

and for removing dirty solvent from, the crank cases of automobile engines or the like, and having a reservoir for storing clean solvent, a receiving chamber for receiving'dirty solvent, a solvent pump, discharge conduit means for leading clean solvent into the crank-case to be cleaned, and return conduit means for leading dirty solvent back into said apparatus, a flow-control valve having adjustable two-position means so constructed and arranged as to, establish, in its one position, two separate passageways through said valve for outgoing clean solvent, and to establish, in its other position, two separate passageways through said valve for incoming dirty solvent, the two valve passageways for outgoing clean solvent being operatively interposed one between the storage reservoir and the pump inlet and the other between the pump outlet and the discharge conduit means, and the two valve passageways for incoming dirty solvent being operatively interposed one between the return conduit means and the pump inlet, and the other between the pump outlet and the solvent-receiving chamber, the passageway between said valve and said storage reservoir being wholly separate and distinct from the passageway between said valve and said receiving cham er,

3. In a crank-case cleaning apparatus having a clean-solvent reservoir, a dirty-solvent receivingchamber, a solvent pump, and conduit means for connection with the crank-case to-be cleaned,

What is hereby claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for cleaning the insides of internal combustion engines or the like, including a generally cylindrical vertical tank having filtering' means operatively supported therein in spaced relation from either end thereof, said filtering means occupying substantially the entire crosssectional area of said tank, space in said tank above said filtering means constituting a dirtysolvent receiving chamber and space in said tank below said filtering means constituting a cleansolvent storage reservoir, a-spray-head disposed a-multi-port two-position control valve cperatively connected to said reservoir, chamber, pump and conduit means, saidvalve being constructed and arranged, 1 in its one position, to establish operative communication between the inlet of said pump and said clean-solvent reservoir on the one hand, and between the outlet of said pump and said conduit means on the other hand, and in its other position, to estabwithin said receiving chamber for spraying dirty- I solvent onto said filtering means, a flexible conand distinct from the line of communication be- 1 duit having an adapter at the end thereof oper-.

atively engageable with the engine to be cleaned, divergent piping operatively associated with'said flexible conduit, one branch of said divergent pip ing constituting means for conducting outgoing solvent substantially to its original condition, a solvent pump and flow-conducting means interclean solvent and the other branch of said diVB1'-' gent piping constituting means for conducting incoming dirty solvent, a flow meter and a nowindicating through-flow sight-gauge both operatively interposed in the branch of divergent piping which conducts outgoing clean solvent, 9. re-

turn-flow-indicating sight-gauge operatively interposed in the branch of divergent piping which conducts incoming dirty solvent, a strainer in said retum-flow-indicating sight-gauge for removing particles of dirt from the incoming dirty solvent, said sight-gauges being disposed in proximity to each other and solvent, means for pumping clean solventfrom ,said storage reservoir into the clean-solvent branch of said piping, means for pumping dirty solvent from the dirtybeing always filled with lvent branch of said piplish operative communication between said pump inlet and said conduit means on the one hand, and between said pump outlet and said dirtysolvent receiving chamber on the other hand, the

line of communication between said pump and said clean-solvent reservoir being wholly separate tweensaid pump and said receivingchamber.

4. In a crank-case cleaning apparatus of the classdescribed having means for restoring dirty connecting the inlet and outlet ends of said pump with the crank-case and with said solventrestoring means respectively, a sight-gauge operatively associated with said flow-conducting meanl'intermediate said pump and said cranksolvent and returning dirty solvent, for. indicating the color and condition of each.

6. In engine-cleaning apparatus of the class described having means for supplying clean solvent to; and for withdrawing dirty solvent from,

g the crank-cases of internal combustion engines going clean solvent and incoming dirty solvent respectively, comprising a common casting. iux;

taposed transparent bowls detachablvclampedm opposite sides. of said casting; said being providedwith four separate inlet and outletpassageways, one pair of inlet and outlet passage? ways being operatively connected in the path oi!v now 01 outgoing clean solvent. and terminating in port-openings communicating with one'otsaid bowls, and he other pair of inlet and outlet pm sageways be g operativelygconnected in the p'ath or down! incoming dirty solvent and-terminating in port-openings communicating with the other one of said bowls, and solvent-"straining means a inside said latter or the like, means tor revealing-the flow of out- 15 outlet. port-opening.

bowl surrounding its associated nussnu. J. GRAY." 

